The document discusses various methods writers use to develop characters, including through speech, appearance, private thoughts, how other characters feel, and characters' actions. It provides examples from Charles Dickens' novels to illustrate direct and indirect characterization.

2. Creating Characters Creating characters—telling what human beings are like—is the whole point of writing stories. [End of Section]

3. Character Development Writers build characters by revealing speech appearance private thoughts others’ reactions actions

10. Private Thoughts Writers can take us into the characters’ minds to reveal their thoughts and feelings. As you read, note whether the characters’ thoughts and feelings match their speech and actions. [End of Section]

13. Direct and Indirect Characterization Direct Characterization —Writers tell us directly what characters are like or what their motives are. Oh, but he was a tightfisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Indirect Characterization —Writers show us characters (through speech, appearance, private thoughts, other characters’ reactions, and actions) but allow us to decide what characters are like.

14. Direct and Indirect Characterization Quick Check My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What kind of person do you think this character is? [End of Section]

15. Direct and Indirect Characterization Indirect. The writer is describing the character’s appearance. Quick Check Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

16. Direct and Indirect Characterization I think she’s strict and unfriendly. What kind of person do you think this character is? Quick Check My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

17. Practice Who is the most unforgettable character you’ve ever met in a story? Write a few sentences about why you find the character so memorable. Before you begin, jot down your ideas on a chart like this one. [End of Section] Most memorable character Most outstanding character Character’s appearance Important statements Important thoughts Important actions Reactions of other characters

18. The End